St Louis Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Drivers failing to obey traffic signals, running red lights, and making illegal turns are all forms of negligence leading to catastrophic pedestrian accidents. In many incidents, the driver fails to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk or make a turn without seeing someone in the street.
Turning drivers might not see the pedestrian, leading to a collision. Sometimes, the pedestrian darts out in front of cars without giving the drivers sufficient time to stop. These pedestrian accidents can be catastrophic for pedestrians with little protection when hit by a vehicle.
Are you the victim of a pedestrian accident? The personal injury attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, are legal advocates representing injured victims harmed by someone else’s negligence.
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Contact our pedestrian accident lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our personal injury lawyers remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
National Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5,376 pedestrian fatalities in the United States in 2016. The data is a 5% increase from 2019, when there were 5,128 pedestrian fatalities. Pedestrian fatalities accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities in 2020.
- In 2020, there were an estimated 69,000 people injured in pedestrian accidents. This statistic revealed a 2% increase from 2019 when there were 68,000 pedestrians injured. Pedestrian injuries accounted for 16% of all traffic injuries in 2020.
- More than 7,000 pedestrians were killed on our nation’s roads in crashes involving a motor vehicle in 2020. That’s about one death every 75 minutes.
- One in six people who died in crashes in 2020 were pedestrians.
There were also an estimated 104,000 emergency department visits of pedestrians and vehicle occupants treated for non-fatal crash-related injuries in 2020.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics in St. Louis, Missouri
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, there were 18 pedestrian fatalities in St. Louis County in 2020. This data revealed a decrease from 2019 when there were 21 pedestrian fatalities.
- In 2020, there were an estimated 561 injuries from St. Louis pedestrian accidents county-wide. The data revealed a decrease from 2019, when there were 616 pedestrian accident injuries.
- Of the 18 pedestrian fatalities in St. Louis County in 2020, 14 were male, and four were female. The age range of the pedestrians killed was from 21 to 74 years old.
- Most pedestrian fatalities in St. Louis County occur in urban areas, with 13 of the 18 deaths occurring in a metropolitan area.
- The most common type of collision between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle is when the pedestrian is hit by the front of a car while crossing the street.
- The second most common type of collision is when the pedestrian is hit by the side of a vehicle, usually while walking along a road or highway.
Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are often hurt because they are walking on the street. In addition, they may not be wearing reflective clothing or carrying a flashlight to make themselves visible.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), most pedestrian accidents are caused by driver negligence. Some common examples of driver negligence that can lead to pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving or inattention: Any distraction could lead to a catastrophic accident with severe injuries. Common distractions include:
- Talking or texting on a mobile phone while operating motor vehicles
- Eating or drinking
- Fiddling with the radio or other controls in the car
- Grooming
- Passengers in the vehicle
- Daydreaming
- Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol pose a danger to everyone on the road, including pedestrians.
- Speeding: A driver who is speeding is less likely to see a pedestrian in time to avoid an accident.
- Failing to yield the right of way: Drivers are required by law to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks and other situations.
- Making an illegal turn: Turning without signaling or making an illegal turn is dangerous and can easily lead to an accident.
- Inexperience or lack of knowledge of pedestrians’ right-of-way: Inexperience is often an issue with new drivers or visitors to the area.
Common Pedestrian Injuries
When you are hit by a car while walking, it is not just the physical injuries you suffer that can be debilitating, but also the emotional distress. Many people who experience a pedestrian injury require ongoing physical therapy and may find it difficult to cope emotionally with the event.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the most common types of pedestrian accident injuries are:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Dislocated joints
- Facial and dental injuries
- Fractured or broken bones
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Limb amputations
- Loss of mobility
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Minor injuries
- Wrongful death
Pedestrian accident victims could suffer any of these injuries. The most severe cases can lead to long-term or even lifelong health problems. If you are injured, it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Pursuing Maximum Compensation from a Personal Injury Claim
St. Louis pedestrian accidents can be severe, resulting in serious injury or death. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to pursue financial compensation from the person or company responsible.
Your best option for obtaining legal representation and maximizing your potential for compensation is to work with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. Our St. Louis pedestrian accident lawyers can help you file a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your injuries and guide you through the complex legal process.
Acting quickly after a pedestrian accident is crucial to having the best chance of success. Contact our personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.
We handle St. Louis pedestrian accidents involving injuries, property damage, and fatalities. Let’s discuss how your personal injury attorney can help you seek compensation and receive the justice you deserve.
Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim
Our pedestrian accident lawyers file personal injury claims for our clients who have suffered injuries and damages after being struck by a moving vehicle while walking. To successfully resolve their lawsuit, injured pedestrians filing a personal injury case must prove negligence through the four elements of civil tort law.
These elements include:
- The defendant (responsible party) had a legal duty to the plaintiff (injured pedestrian)
- The defendant breached this duty
- The breach of duty caused the injury
- The injury resulted in damages
If you or a loved one were involved in a pedestrian accident, call us today for a free consultation. Our personal injury attorneys will evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options.
Proving The Case
Our pedestrian accident attorneys deal directly with the insurance company on behalf of our clients. Our personal injury lawyers use civil tort law to show how the pedestrian/vehicle accident was the defendant’s fault.
Building the case typically includes:
- Gather evidence, including photos of the accident scene, police reports, medical records, and witness statements
- Analyze evidence to look for patterns and develop a theory of how the accident happened
- Review applicable laws
- Consult with experts in accident reconstruction (what happened), medicine (what are the injuries), and economics (how much is the case worth)
- Prepare and file any required legal documents
Once our personal injury lawyers have built a strong case, we will approach the insurance company with a demand for maximum compensation, revealing that the injury occurred through their policy holder’s negligence. The insurance company will then have the opportunity to settle the injury claim.
Our personal injury lawyers are prepared to take the case to trial if the insurance company does not agree to a fair settlement.
Compensation In a Pedestrian/Car Accident Case
In most pedestrian/car accident cases, the driver’s insurance company will be responsible for paying any damages awarded to the pedestrian. The amount of compensation a pedestrian may receive will depend on the individual circumstances of each case but can include:
- Past medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death
In some cases, the pedestrian may also be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are not meant to compensate the pedestrian but rather to punish the driver for their negligence and deter others from engaging in similar behavior.
Pursue Compensation through a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Many families who lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident after being hit by a motor vehicle can file a civil lawsuit, claiming wrongful death. The family may have the right to compensation for their loved one’s death, which can help ease the pain and suffering they are experiencing.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that can be filed when someone dies of fatal injuries due to the negligence of another person or entity. To file a claim, the surviving family members must prove that the negligence of another caused their loved one’s death and that they have suffered damages as a result.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Many types of damages can be recovered in a wrongful death case, including:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of love, companionship, and care
- Medical expenses related to the death
- Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before their death
How Do I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
If you believe that the negligence of another caused your loved one’s death, you should speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. An experienced attorney will be able to review the circumstances of your loved one’s death and advise you on whether you have a valid claim.
They can also help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you take all necessary steps to pursue your claim.
Hire a St. Louis Pedestrian Accident Lawyers to Resolve A Personal Injury Lawsuit
Were you involved in a pedestrian accident in St. Louis? Do you suspect your serious injuries or your loved one’s fatal injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence?
Our St. Louis pedestrian injury attorneys handle all personal injury claims caused by another’s negligence or reckless actions. Contact our St Louis pedestrian accident attorney today to schedule a free case review to discuss how the accident occurred.
Our law offices accept all personal injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits on a contingency fee agreement. This arrangement ensures you pay no legal fees until your pedestrian accident attorneys resolve your case through a negotiated settlement or jury trial award.